Question:
Heart skipping beats! Should I see a cardio before WLS?

I first started having this problem about 12 years ago. I have talked to several Doctors about this and had 3 EKG's. They say that my heart is skipping beats. I've never been to a Cardiologist. I've been told it is stress related and not to worry about it. I have been seeing my current PCP for a little over a year and have never brought up the subject. My question is; should I try to see a Cardiologist before I see a Surgeon, or will the Surgeon send me to one anyway for pre-op test?    — Tracy S. (posted on July 6, 2001)

July 7, 2001
I would say that it is probably not anything to worry about since your doctors have all said that it is stress related and not to worry about it. BUT... If you have been having that kind of stress for 12 years - that is not good. I am not a doctor but I can tell if it were me I would go to a cardiologist. I am of course speaking from past experience with my PCP and my heart(which has an extra beat) I would go because like you said, your surgeon may send you anyway and at least you can have that out of the way And because I(and I am a confessed hypochondriac) would not be satisfied with a PCP's opinion for a heart conditon. Like I said - I have heard that it is a very commom condition but there are other tests that they can do just to make sure. When I had my problem, I made them do an EKG, an echocardiogram, and wore a holter monitor. The only thing I didn't have done was that new test that they have (can't remember the name) that shows 5% heart disease rather than the 60%or so that an echocardiogram shows. So with all that out of the way Yea! I would go.
   — [Anonymous]